Steelers unveil 80th anniversary throwback jerseys Tuesday

As the new manufacturer of NFL uniforms, Nike is giving some teams an updated look. But one team is planning to unveil an old-school design for the 2012 season.

The Steelers will unveil throwback jerseys on Tuesday, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the team for the 2012 season. The Pittsburgh franchise entered the NFL in 1933 (known at first as the Pittsburgh Pirates), so the 2012 season will be the franchise’s 80th in the league.

There’s no word yet on what the Steelers’ throwbacks will look like, but these are different uniforms than the throwbacks the Steelers have worn with yellow helmets and black jerseys with yellow numbers.

Throwback uniforms have long been a way for the NFL to give a nod to history, and (more importantly from the perspective of Nike and the owners) alternate jerseys are a way to sell more merchandise to fans. The regular Nike uniforms for all 32 teams were unveiled this month, but the NFL says each team will have its own timetable for unveiling its own alternate jerseys.